Pro Football Weekly and Riddell present ...
2002 NFL draft
Building a mystery
Questionable DT Haynesworth clouds Titans’ future
By Jeff Reynolds, Associate editor of special projects
April 20, 2002
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| Secondary was the most pressing need for Tennessee, a position that head
coach Jeff Fisher has always had a vested interest in and has evaluated well in the past.
The Titans were able to move down one slot in a trade with the Giants, with a bonus
fourth-round pick (110 overall) being the motivation. That gave general manager Floyd
Reese, who was arguably the most visible presence at the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine,
a decision between free-falling DT Albert Haynesworth and CB Phillip Buchanon, or
offensive line help. The Titans needed to bolster their offensive line with OT Fred
Miller playing poorly, C Bruce Matthews on the verge of retirement and OL Kevin Long
dangling in free agency.
Tennessee decided to go defense. Even though CB Samari Rolle had a down season in 2001,
and the Titans lost SS Blaine Bishop in free agency, they ignored the secondary.
Second-year CB Andre Dyson is capable but could use another year of seasoning. The Titans
did replace Bishop with Lance Schulters, but the level of athleticism isn’t the same
and injuries ripped the secondary apart last season, teaching Reese a lesson in depth.
But with Buchanon, S Ed Reed and others on the board, Tennessee ignored their two areas
of concern and took 6-5, 320-pound junior Albert Haynesworth. Called lazy and immature by
some draft pundits because of a lack of dominance based on his talent level, don’t be
surprised is a year or two under Fisher toughens the in-state product.
It may be a gamble, but it also fills a need. No doubt the best left on the board at
the position — somewhat a surprise that he was still around — Haynesworth will
be a starter from Day One. Tennessee lost DTs Jason Fisk and Josh Evans, to free agency
and a drug suspension, respectively, and the team doesn’t have much in the way of
replacements on the current roster.
With DE Jevon Kearse dog-paddling above superstardom and DE Kevin Carter
underachieveing on the left side, Haynesworth could make the Titans’ line one of the
best in the league if he reaches his ceiling. But that is the gamble with this kind of
untapped potential — the floor is the alternative, and it is easier to stand pat than
propel yourself to the next level.
The Titans do pick in the middle of Round Two, at No. 46, where value at corner is
still a possibility. However, unless Haynesworth can embody his coach’s personality,
this may be a ridiculed pick in Nashville. |
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